Culver backs re-write of sex offender laws

DES MOINES - Gov. Chet Culver is lending his support to an overhaul of the state's sex offender laws that law enforcement officials say would make the state safer.The proposal scales back the state's law prohibiting some sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or day care. Only the most serious offenders would be subject to that law.

But the plan would create exclusionary zones where registered sex offenders would be prohibited from visiting or working. Those areas would include schools, parks and other places where children gather.

"I understand that the Legislature has reached a bipartisan agreement on a bill that will make our laws tougher and smarter, and keep our communities even safer for our children," Culver said in a statement. "I urge the legislature to give their strong bipartisan support to this bill."

Legislative leaders said they expect to bring the proposal to a vote in both the House and Senate today.

A public hearing Monday night drew a contingent of law enforcement officials who urged legislators to approve the plan. They have complained that the 2,000-foot rule is difficult to enforce and said the exclusionary or safe zones would help protect the public from sexual predators.